Plow Lift Cushion Assembly

ABSTRACT

A plow lift cushion assembly can include a housing with a top. The housing can define a chamber. A slider with a sled and a shaft extending from the sled can be included. The sled can be configured to translate within the chamber. The shaft can extend out of the top of the housing and can be configured to be coupled to a plow lift arm. A spring-cushion system can be positioned within the chamber and can extend between the top and the sled. A set of flanges can extend from the housing. The set of flanges can be configured to interface with a set of chains coupled to a plow frame.

BACKGROUND

In many applications, plows can be supported at extended positions and orientations relative to a truck frame. The plows can be raised and lowered with hydraulics or other actuator systems.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the invention provide a plow lift cushion assembly. The plow lift cushion assembly can include a housing with a top. The housing can define a chamber. A slider with a sled and a shaft extending from the sled can also be included. The sled can be configured to translate within the chamber. The shaft can extend out of the top of the housing and can be configured to be coupled to a plow lift arm. A spring-cushion system can be positioned within the chamber and can extend between the top and the sled. A set of flanges can extend from the housing. The set of flanges can be configured to interface with a set of chains coupled to a plow frame.

Some embodiments can provide a plow lift cushion assembly including a sled positioned within a housing. The sled can be coupled to a plow lift arm and the housing can be coupled to a plow blade. A spring-cushion system can be positioned between the sled and the housing and can be configured to compress to absorb forces between the plow lift arm and the plow blade.

Some embodiments can provide a plow assembly. The plow assembly can include a plow blade coupled to a plow mounting frame. A plow lift arm can be coupled to a plow mounting structure configured to be coupled to a plow vehicle. A plow lift cushion system can be coupled between the plow mounting frame and the plow lift arm. The plow lift cushion system can include a housing with a top, a sled within the housing, and a spring-cushion system positioned between a wall of the housing and the sled to absorb forces from the plow mounting frame and the plow lift arm via movement of the sled within the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a front top right isometric view of a plow assembly with a plow lift cushion assembly in a resting state according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear top right isometric view of the plow assembly and plow lift cushion assembly of FIG. 1 in a resting state with a hydraulic ram of the plow assembly removed to provide better visibility of the plow lift cushion assembly;

FIG. 3 is a front top right isometric view of the plow lift cushion assembly of FIG. 1 in a resting state coupled to a coupling attachment according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear bottom right isometric view of the plow lift cushion assembly of FIG. 1 in a resting state;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the plow lift cushion assembly of FIG. 1 in a resting state along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 6 5 is a cross-sectional view of the plow lift cushion assembly of FIG. 1 in a resting state along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 7 is a front top right isometric partially exploded view of the plow lift cushion assembly of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is front top right isometric view of the plow lift cushion assembly of FIG. 1 in a loaded state;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the plow lift cushion assembly of FIG. 1 in a loaded state along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 ; and

FIG. 10 is a front top right isometric view of the plow lift cushion assembly in a resting state coupled to another coupling attachment according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Also as used herein, unless otherwise specified or limited, directional terms are presented only with regard to the particular embodiment and perspective described. For example, reference to features or directions as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and so on are generally made with reference to a particular figure or example and are not necessarily indicative of an absolute orientation or direction. However, relative directional terms for a particular embodiment may generally apply to alternative orientations of that embodiment. For example, “front” and “rear” directions or features (or “right” and “left” directions or features, and so on) may be generally understood to indicate relatively opposite directions or features for a particular embodiment, regardless of the absolute orientation of the embodiment (or relative orientation relative to environmental structures). “Lateral” and derivatives thereof generally indicate directions that are generally perpendicular to a vertical direction for a relevant reference frame.

Also as used herein, ordinal numbers are used for convenience of presentation only and are generally presented in an order that corresponds to the order in which particular features are introduced in the relevant discussion. Accordingly, for example, a “first” feature may not necessarily have any required structural or sequential relationship to a “second” feature, and so on. Further, similar features may be referred to in different portions of the discussion by different ordinal numbers. For example, a particular feature may be referred to in some discussion as a “first” feature, while a similar or substantially identical feature may be referred to in other discussion as a “third” feature, and so on.

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of embodiments of the invention.

In some contexts, it may be useful to be able to mount a plow to a plow truck so as to absorb, or cushion, the movement of the plow. For example, vibrations and/or acceleration-induced loading (e.g., when lifting or dropping the plow or while driving the truck with the plow attached and lifted off the ground) can be transmitted to the plow, the plow truck, and/or the driver. Cushioning the plow suspended from the front of the plow truck can reduce these negative effects. Further, it may be useful to be able to install a cushioning assembly to an existing plow system without substantial modification or replacement of the existing system. Embodiments of the invention can be useful for these purposes, and others. For example, embodiments of the invention can be used to cushion the movement of a plow when moving the plow up and down, and when driving a truck with the plow attached, including when plowing or when not plowing (e.g., with the plow in a stowed position above the ground). For example, the load of a plow can be upwards of 3000 lbs. nominal, which, when moving, can induce a relatively large moment on the truck and a plow lift arm. Thus, appropriate cushioning of plow movement and related forces can be substantially beneficial. Embodiments of the invention can also be retrofitted to existing plow systems. For example, some embodiments of a cushion system can be removably coupled between the plow lift arm and a plow mounting frame. Some embodiments can be coupled to the plow lift arm with a clevis. Some embodiments can be coupled to the plow lift arm with chain.

In some embodiments, the cushion system can provide cushioning through compression of at least one spring. In some embodiments, the cushion system can provide cushioning through compression of a pair of springs (e.g., two identical springs). The pair of springs can be positioned and aligned in parallel. The pair of springs can be located within an enclosure, or housing, and can be positioned between a movable slider at the bases of each of the springs and a top of the housing at the top of the springs. In some embodiments, centering pins may locate the springs within the housing and between the top of the housing and the movable platform.

In some embodiments, the cushion system can be positioned within the plow system so that one of the springs is located toward one side of the plow (e.g., on the driver’s side) and the other spring is located toward the other side of the plow (e.g., on the passenger’s side).

In some embodiments, the movable platform can be sized and configured to permit movement of the movable platform within the housing, but also sized and configured to reduce the likelihood of binding against the sides of the housing. In some embodiments, the movable platform can have sides with surfaces that and are configured to make non-binding, slidable contact with the sides of the housing if the movable platform comes into contact therewith.

In some embodiments, the cushion system can include side flanges that extend outward from the housing and provide a place to attach a chain extending from the plow mounting frame. In some embodiments, the side flanges can have keyhole shaped openings that allow a chain link to enter and slide within the keyhole opening but prevent an adjacent chain link from sliding therethrough.

In some conventional arrangements, plow cushioning mechanisms are configured to cushion movement of a plow via compression of a spring (e.g., a coil spring) within an assembly positioned in line between the plow lift arm and each side of the plow or the plow mounting frame. These configurations required the spring to be mostly exposed to the environment and subject to being packed with debris during plowing or driving. This configuration also required at least one spring system per plow system.

Some embodiments of the invention can address this issue, or others. For example, some embodiments of the invention are presented below in the context of a plow cushioning system for cushioning the motion of a plow with only one plow cushioning system and providing a plow cushioning system that shields the springs from the environment. Generally, the principles disclosed herein can be used with any variety of attachable plow system, including, but not limited to, a plow mounted to the front of a truck, and can be used to cushion any variety of plow systems that include a lift arm.

With regard to construction, various embodiments can be readily formed from a variety of known manufacturing techniques, including casting. For example, some embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated in the FIGS., can be cast in multiple pieces and joined together through methods including welding.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of a plow lift cushion assembly 100 installed on a plow assembly 10. The plow lift cushion assembly 100 is positioned between a plow lift arm 12, via a coupling attachment 200 and a clevis 14, and a plow mounting frame 16 via chains 18. Additionally, or alternatively, the plow lift cushion assembly 100 can be coupled to the plow mounting frame 16 via other types of flexible axial loadable supports such as, for example, cables and/or straps. The plow mounting frame 16 is coupled to a plow blade 20. A hydraulic ram 22 is coupled between the plow lift arm 12 and a plow mounting structure 24 that is coupled to a plow vehicle (not shown). The plow blade 20 can be raised and lowered by extending or contracting the hydraulic ram 22, respectively. It should be understood that other plow assembly configurations are contemplated and that embodiments of the invention, including the plow lift cushion assembly 100, are not limited to only the plow assembly configuration shown.

FIGS. 3 through 9 show the plow lift cushion assembly 100 in isolation. The plow lift cushion assembly 100 is configured to cushion the movement of the plow assembly 10 when raised or lowered. FIGS. 3 through 6 illustrate the plow lift cushion assembly 100 in a resting state (e.g., when the plow blade 20 is resting on the ground). FIGS. 8 and 9 show the plow lift cushion assembly 100 in a loaded state (e.g., when the plow blade is in the process of being lifted off the ground or is being held above the ground).

With reference now to FIGS. 3 through 7 , the plow lift cushion assembly 100 will be further described. The plow lift cushion assembly 100 includes a housing 102 with a top 104, a slider 106 (shown in FIGS. 5 through 7 ) positioned within the housing 102, a spring-cushion system, for example, as shown here including a first spring 108A and a second spring 108B (shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 ) positioned between the slider 106 and the top 104, and a cover 110 configured to be coupled to the housing 102 to enclose the slider 106 and the first and second springs 108A, 108B within the housing 102. The first and second springs 108A, 108B can be formed from natural rubber. As an example, a Timbren AEON® hollow rubber spring can be used for the springs 108A, 108B. Unlike metal springs, springs made from natural rubber have the ability to increase the spring rate as the load increases and can also isolate vibration experienced by the plow assembly. It is contemplated, however, that a single spring (e.g., only the first spring 108A centered within the housing 102) or an element configured to provide both spring and damping characteristics positioned within the housing 102, such as, for example, a shock absorber module or a strut assembly as used in automobile suspension systems, can be used and should be considered additional examples of a “spring-cushion system” as described herein.

Continuing, in addition to the top 104, the housing 102 has a first set of opposing sides, including a first side 112 and a second side 114 and a second set of opposing sides, including a third side 116 and a fourth side 118, that in combination with the top 104 define a chamber 120. In some embodiments, the first and second sides 112, 114 of the first set of sides can be plates that are oriented in parallel. The third and fourth sides 116, 118 of the second set of sides can also be plates oriented in parallel in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the first and second sides 112, 114 can be perpendicular to the third and fourth sides 116, 118 as shown in the FIGS. 3 through 7 . In some embodiments, the top 104, the first side 112, the second side 114, the third side 116, and the fourth side 118 can be coupled through a joining processes such as, for example, welding. The distance between the first and second sides 112, 114 defines a chamber length 122 (see FIG. 5 ) and the distance between the third and fourth sides of the second set of sides 114 defines a chamber width 124 (see FIG. 6 ). Here, the chamber length 122 is shown longer than the chamber width 124 to define a chamber 120 having a rectangular profile. However, it is contemplated that the chamber 120 and/or the housing 102 can be formed in any shape, including, for example, a square, a polygon, a circle, etc.

The plow lift cushion system 100 can also include a cover flange 126. The cover flange 126 extends outward from and around a periphery of the housing 102 opposite the top 104. The cover flange 126 has a plurality of holes 128 (shown in FIG. 7 ) extending therethrough. The cover flange 126 is configured to be coupled to the cover 110 with fasteners that extend through a plurality of holes 132 in the cover 110 and the plurality holes 128 in the cover flange 126 (e.g., shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7 as bolts 130 secured with nuts 134 threaded on the bolts 130). The cover 110, when coupled to the cover flange 126, effectively closes the housing 102 to fully enclose the chamber 120. In some embodiments, such as, for example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the cover 110 can further include at least one aperture (shown as a plurality of apertures 136) to provide a path for liquid or debris to exit the housing.

A set of side flanges, including a first side flange 138A and a second side flange 138B, can also be provided on the plow lift cushion system 100. Both the first and second side flange 138A, 138B extend upwardly from and along the top 104 and extend outwardly and along respective first and second sides 112, 114 in opposite directions. The first and second side flanges 138A, 138B can continue to extend along and beyond the cover flange 126 in some cases. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 , the first side flange 138A has a set of tabs, including a first tab 140 and a second tab 142, and the second side flange 138B has a set of tabs, including a first tab 144 and a second tab 146. The first tabs 140, 144 of the first and second side flanges 138A, 138A are configured to be received within a set of tab holes 148, 150 in the top 104. The second tabs 142, 146 of the first and second side flanges 138A, 138B are configured to be received within first and second tab holes 152, 154 in the cover flange 126. This arrangement locates the first and second side flanges 138A, 138B in position relative to the housing 102. The first and second side flanges 138A, 138B can then be further secured to the housing 102 and the cover flange 126 through a joining processes such as, for example, welding. Additionally, the first and second side flanges 138A, 138B can each have a notch 156, 158 configured to be mated with notches 160, 162 of respective first and second lateral supports 164, 166. The first and second lateral supports 164, 166 can extend perpendicularly with respect to the first and second side flanges 138A, 138B and along the top 104 to provide additional lateral support to the first and second side flanges 138A, 138B. Similarly, the first and second lateral supports 164, 166 can be secured to the top 104 of the housing 102 through a joining processes such as, for example, welding.

The first and second side flanges 138A, 138B can also include a keyhole slot 168A, 168B, respectively. Each of the keyhole slots 168A, 168B is configured to receive and retain a chain (e.g., the chain 18 extending from the plow mounting frame 16 (shown in FIG. 2 )) by inserting the chain through the large opening of the respective keyhole slot 168A, 168B and then sliding a link of the chain into the slot. It should be understood that other configurations are contemplated, for example, the first and second side flanges 138A, 138B can have hooks on which a link of a chain could be placed. Further, other embodiments can provide other configurations in which elements similar to the first and second side flanges 138A, 138B provide a place to couple a relevant chain, including, for example, a part of the housing 102.

Continuing, as stated above, the slider 106 is configured to be positioned within the housing 102, which can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 . FIG. 7 additionally shows the slider 106 outside of the housing 102 for further clarity. The slider 106 includes a sled 170 and a shaft 172. The sled 170 is configured to translate up and down within the housing 102 and has a sled length 176 and a sled width 178. Looking at FIG. 5 , the sled length 176 is shown as slightly less than, the chamber length 122. Similarly, looking at FIG. 6 , the sled width 178 is slightly less than, the chamber width 124. The similar dimensions of the sled 170 and the chamber 120 allow the sled 170 to translate within the chamber 120 in a linear manner even if the load applied to the plow lift cushion system 100 is uneven.

Further, the sled 170 includes a set of elements including a platform 180A; a set of lateral guides, including a first lateral guide 180B and a second lateral guide 180C; and a set of ribs, including a first rib 180D (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 ) and a second rib 180E (shown in FIG. 5 ). The platform 180A has a set of centering-pin holes, including a first centering pin hole 182A and a second centering-pin hole 182B, and a slot 184. The first and second centering-pin holes 182A, 182B are configured to receive first and second centering pins 186A, 186B. The first and second centering pins 186A, 186B are also received within first centering holes 188, 190 in the first and second springs 108A, 108B. The slot 184 is configured to receive one end of the shaft 172. The platform 182 and the shaft 172 can further be coupled through a joining processes such as, for example, welding.

Additionally, the shaft 172 of the slider 106 extends through the top 104, and outside of, the housing 102 for coupling the slider 106 to the plow lift arm 12. As shown, a swivel 174 can be provided at the end of the shaft 172 that extends out of the housing 102. The swivel 174 can be configured to allow the plow lift cushion assembly 102 to rotate (i.e., swivel) relative to the plow lift arm 12. An example of a swivel 174 is a roller bearing. The swivel 174 allows the plow lift cushion system 100 to move (i.e., rotate) in concert with the plow blade 20 when the plow blade 20 is angled to one side or the other relative to a plow truck (not shown) to plow at an angle. This ensures consistent cushioning when the plow blade 20 is oriented at different angles because that the majority of the force exerted by the plow blade 20 on the housing 102 remains downward (i.e., no radial forces will be induced on the plow lift cushion system 100 when the plow blade 20 is angled relative to the plow truck because the plow lift cushion system 100 rotates with the plow blade 20).

The first and second springs 108A, 108B are maintained upright with third and fourth centering pins 192A, 192B received within second centering holes 194, 196 in the first and second springs 108A, 108B, opposite the first centering holes 188, 190. The third and fourth centering pins 192A, 192B are also received within first and second centering-pin holes 198A, 198B in the top 104. The placement of the first, second, third, and fourth centering pins 186A, 186B, 192A, 192B is configured to keep the first and second springs 108A, 108B vertically upright within the housing 102 during cycles of compression and rebound.

Further, the lateral guides 180B, 180C aid in preventing the sled 170 from binding against the first, second, third, and fourth sides 112, 114, 116, 118 of the housing 102 when the sled 170 is translating therein. The lateral guides 180B, 180C extend along opposing sides of and perpendicular to the platform 180A, extending both above and below the platform 180A. Further, each of the lateral guides 180B, 180C extends past the first spring 108A and the second spring 108B. The lateral guides 180B, 180C provide a surface (e.g., on a pad 180F shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 on the lateral guide 180B and on a pad 180G shown in FIG. 6 on the lateral guide 180C) to contact the third and fourth sides 116, 118 of the housing 102 on a smaller footprint than the entire lateral guide 180B, 180C. Additionally, the lateral guides 180B, 180C add stiffening to the platform 180A to prevent the platform 180A from deforming.

As stated above, FIGS. 3 through 6 show the plow lift cushion system 100 in a resting state. A resting state occurs when there is no substantial load placed on the plow lift cushion system 100, such as, for example, when the plow blade 20 is resting on the ground and the chains 18 exhibit some slack. In the resting state, the plow lift cushion system 100 may experience some nominal loading, including for example, from the weight of the chains 18 and the weight of the housing 102 and cover 110. In the resting state the sled 170 is positioned near, if not touching the cover 110 and the first and second springs 108A, 108B are in a resting position. The resting position can include the first and second springs 108A, 108B exhibiting no compression or a nominal compression to maintain contact with the top 104 and the platform 180A.

When the plow lift arm 12 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is raised, the plow lift cushion system 100 is also raised and transitions into a loaded state (for example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 ). The plow lift arm 12 and the slider 106 are coupled together and therefore the raising of the plow lift arm 12 also raises the slider 106 at the same rate. The weight of the plow blade 20 and the plow mounting structure 24, however, pulls on the housing 102 in a downward direction opposite the direction of the plow lift arm 12 because the housing 102 is coupled to the mounting structure through the chains 18 received within the keyhole slots 168A, 168B of the first and second side flanges 138A, 138B, respectively. The oppositional forces compress the first and second springs 108A, 108B between the platform 180A and the top 104 and thereby cushion the transition between the resting state and the loaded state. The plow lift cushion system 100, and the springs 108A, 108B can also operate similarly when the plow lift cushion system 100 is in the loaded state and environmental changes urge the plow blade 20 in the opposite direction of the plow lift arm 12, such as, for example, when a plow truck (not shown) is traveling down a road and experiences bumps, changes in elevation, momentum shifting when accelerating or decelerating, etc.

It is contemplated that the plow lift cushion system 100 can be attached to the plow lift arm 12 with various connection methods. For example, in FIGS. 1 through 9 , the plow lift cushion 100 is attached to the plow lift arm 12 via the coupling attachment 200 and a clevis 14. The coupling attachment 200 includes a U-shape coupling 202 that is pivotally coupled to a portion of the swivel 174 that moves independent of the shaft 172 of the slider 106. The U-shape coupling is also received within the clevis 14, which is coupled to the plow lift arm 12.

Alternatively, in FIG. 10 , the plow lift cushion system 100 is shown with a coupling attachment 300 that includes a pin coupling 302 that is pivotally coupled to a portion of the swivel 174 that moves independent of the shaft 172 of the slider 106. A chain 26 can be coupled to the pin coupling 302 on one end and coupled to a plow lift arm (e.g., the plow lift arm 12 shown in FIG. 1 ) on the other end. This configuration can provide adjustability by allowing the plow lift cushion system 100 to be mounted at different heights relative to a plow lift arm and a plow mounting frame (e.g., the plow lift arm 12 and the plow mounting frame 16 shown in FIG. 1 ).

In some implementations, devices or systems disclosed herein can be utilized or installed using methods embodying aspects of the invention. Correspondingly, description herein of particular features or capabilities of a device or system is generally intended to inherently include disclosure of a method of using such features for intended purposes and of implementing such capabilities. Similarly, express discussion of any method of using a particular device or system, unless otherwise indicated or limited, is intended to inherently include disclosure, as embodiments of the invention, of the utilized features and implemented capabilities of such device or system.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A plow lift cushion assembly comprising: a housing with a top, the housing defining a chamber; a slider with a sled and a shaft extending from the sled, the sled configured to translate within the chamber and the shaft extending out of the top of the housing and configured to be coupled to a plow lift arm; a spring-cushion system positioned within the chamber and extending between the top and the sled; a set of flanges extending from the housing, the set of flanges configured to interface with a set of chains coupled to a plow frame.
 2. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring-cushion system includes a first spring.
 3. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 2, further comprising a first set of centering pins, including a first centering pin and a second centering pin, wherein the first centering pin is received in a first centering hole in the first spring and a first centering-pin hole in the sled and the second centering pin is received in the second centering hole in the first spring and a first centering-pin hole in the top to maintain the positioning of the first spring within the housing.
 4. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 1, further comprising a swivel coupled to the shaft and configured to allow the housing and slider to swivel relative to the plow lift arm.
 5. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the chamber has a chamber length and a chamber width, the chamber length being longer than the chamber width.
 6. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 5, wherein the spring-cushion system further includes a second spring; and wherein the first and second springs are aligned in parallel along the chamber length.
 7. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 6, wherein the shaft is positioned between the first and second springs.
 8. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 1, whereby, when a downward force is exerted on the housing by the plow frame via the set of flanges or an upward force is exerted on the shaft by the plow lift arm, the sled is configured to translate within the chamber so that the upward and downward forces are absorbed by compression of the spring-cushion system between the sled and the top of the housing.
 9. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the sled includes a platform, a first lateral guide extending along a first side of the platform, and a second lateral guide extending along a second side of the platform opposite the first side.
 10. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cover coupled to the housing and enclosing the sled within the housing.
 11. A plow lift cushion assembly comprising: a sled positioned within a housing, the sled coupled to a plow lift arm and the housing coupled to a plow blade; a spring-cushion system positioned between the sled and the housing and configured to compress to absorb forces between the plow lift arm and the plow blade.
 12. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 11, wherein the spring-cushion system includes a first spring and a second spring, and the first and second springs are positioned in parallel between the sled and a top of the housing.
 13. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 12, wherein the sled includes a platform with which the first and second springs are in contact.
 14. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 13, wherein the sled further includes a first lateral guide extending along one side of the platform and a second lateral guide extending along another side of the platform opposite the first lateral guide.
 15. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 13, further comprising a shaft coupled to the platform of the sled and extending out of the housing through the top and configured to be coupled to the plow lift arm.
 16. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 15, further comprising a swivel coupled to the shaft and configured to allow the housing and sled to swivel relative to the plow lift arm.
 17. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 11, further comprising a first side flange and a second side flange extending out from the housing in opposite directions, the first and second side flanges being secured to a top of the housing and configured to be coupled to the plow blade through chains.
 18. The plow lift cushion assembly of claim 11, further comprising a cover configured to be coupled to the housing and fully enclose the sled and the spring-cushion system therein.
 19. A plow assembly comprising: a plow blade coupled to a plow mounting frame; a plow lift arm coupled to a plow mounting structure configured to be coupled to a plow vehicle; and a plow lift cushion system coupled between the plow mounting frame and the plow lift arm; the plow lift cushion system including a housing with a top, a sled within the housing, and a spring-cushion system positioned between a wall of the housing and the sled to absorb forces from the plow mounting frame and the plow lift arm via movement of the sled within the housing.
 20. The plow assembly of claim 19, further comprising a shaft coupled to the sled and extending through the top of the housing and a swivel coupled to the shaft; wherein the housing is coupled to the plow mounting frame; and wherein the swivel is coupled to the plow lift arm and is configured to allow the plow lift cushion system to swivel relative to the plow lift arm. 